Ohio school says no football for girls; mom threatens legal action

Seventh-grader Makhaela 'Max' Jenkins stands above the practice field Thursday at Liberty Union High School as seventh- and eighth-grade boys take the field to begin football practice in Baltimore. Makhaela, 12, practiced with the team for two days before school offcials said she was not allowed to play because she is a girl.

There will apparently be no touchdowns or game-winning catches this fall for 12-year-old Makhaela Jenkins.

After practicing one day with the Liberty Union seventh-grade football team last week, school officials said she could not play because she is a girl.

"I don't think it's fair," Makhaela, who also goes by Max, said Thursday. "People should be able to play no matter what their gender."

Makhaela's mother, Anjee Jenkins, said she is considering legal action if Liberty Union-Thurston Local Schools officials do not let her play this fall.

"I still plan to fight this as far as I can," she said. "I'm not giving up until there is no hope left."

Makhaela went to football practice Aug. 5 and played as a wide receiver. Anjee Jenkins said about 90 minutes into practice the next day, she was told she could not play anymore.

Superintendent Paul Mathews said the district considers football and wrestling contact sports and has the right to prohibit girls from participating in them.

"Title IX requires us to offer equal opportunity for boys and girls," Mathews said. "We offer a menu of sports so all can participate. We feel students are better off when they are involved in extracurricular activities."

He said the district has limited resources, but provides opportunities for all boys and girls to participate in sports. He said there are boys and girls teams in golf, soccer and cross-country this fall, but football is for boys only and volleyball is for girls only. Mathews said a boy would not be allowed to play on the volleyball team.

While Mathews said he cannot speak for the board of education, he said he doubts it will change its mind at the Sept. 9 meeting. No board member could be reached for comment.

Anjee Jenkins said the experience has left her daughter broken hearted.

"I can definitely tell there is a shift in her," she said. "Now that it's been in the news she's picked up a lot of support. But the board has been pretty firm on its decision. She's been postivie, but worried."

Anjee Jenkins said Makhaela would be happy playing on an all-girls team if one were available, but it's not.

The case has drawn the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union, which called the action unacceptable and unlawful.

"This school is using outdated and untrue stereotypes about gender to decide who participates in athletics," said ACLU of Ohio Senior Staff Attorney Jennifer Martinez Atzberger. "Federal courts in Ohio have made it clear since the 1970s that if a girl wants to play football, and there is not an equivalent team for girls, she must be allowed to try out for the boys' team."

Makhaela is no rookie to football, as she played full-contact football in the fifth and sixth grades and flag football before that. She also plays basketball and softball.

"Football is an inspiration for me," Makhaela said. "It lets other people know you do what you want. It doesn't matter what people think of you."

There are girls who do play on Fairfield County football teams. Fairfield Union athletic director Matt McPhail said there is a girl on that district's current eighth-grade roster. He said girls have played football before this year also, with no problems.

"The experience seems to be a positive one for them," McPhail said. "Of course, it's unique. But there have been no issues, at least from my time frame, and I've been here five years now."

jbarron@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron

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Ohio school says no football for girls; mom threatens legal action

There will apparently be no touchdowns or game-winning catches this fall for 12-year-old Makhaela Jenkins.